As some of you remember I was the first truck allowed into the NASA program (not space program). I just returned from 2 days of road racing at the 2.1 mile Hastings Motorsports Park. It was awesome!!
For the Viper powered truck you could ask for more from a road coarse. Straighaways where with 7 pounds of boost you can reach speeds of 100-105 mph and really only one (maybe two) hard braking areas. I did the entire coarse in 3rd gear. The power/torque range and the gearing is such that high g turns are not in the boost range so when you come out and push the gas pedal its continuous but not so much the boost upsets the rear end.
I did a total of about 120 miles (6 20 minute sessions) with no problems whatsoever. The other drivers in my group as well as other groups and the crowd were pretty amazed that a 5000 pound truck could run with (and pass) a supercharged NSX and a fairly new Porsche Carrera. Some of them didnt mind cause they loved hearing the exhaust from behind or when getting past. I had MANY compliments on the trucks performance and the way it sounded over the past 2 days. I'll upload numerous pics including one that supposedly has be on the NSX's ass when I'm trying to pass him (on the inside of the track no-less).
Anyway, the truck is a blast and I passed the test as far as the directors and instructors are concerned. I was told I set the bar very high for future trucks but it looks like sport trucks that were made for the track (SRT Ram, Lightnings) will be allowed to participate with the NASA club.
Pics will be posted soon I hope. Oh yah, I got my gas mileage down to a 4.0 mpg during the 20 minute events...basically 1/4 tank each run :rock:
For the Viper powered truck you could ask for more from a road coarse. Straighaways where with 7 pounds of boost you can reach speeds of 100-105 mph and really only one (maybe two) hard braking areas. I did the entire coarse in 3rd gear. The power/torque range and the gearing is such that high g turns are not in the boost range so when you come out and push the gas pedal its continuous but not so much the boost upsets the rear end.
I did a total of about 120 miles (6 20 minute sessions) with no problems whatsoever. The other drivers in my group as well as other groups and the crowd were pretty amazed that a 5000 pound truck could run with (and pass) a supercharged NSX and a fairly new Porsche Carrera. Some of them didnt mind cause they loved hearing the exhaust from behind or when getting past. I had MANY compliments on the trucks performance and the way it sounded over the past 2 days. I'll upload numerous pics including one that supposedly has be on the NSX's ass when I'm trying to pass him (on the inside of the track no-less).
Anyway, the truck is a blast and I passed the test as far as the directors and instructors are concerned. I was told I set the bar very high for future trucks but it looks like sport trucks that were made for the track (SRT Ram, Lightnings) will be allowed to participate with the NASA club.
Pics will be posted soon I hope. Oh yah, I got my gas mileage down to a 4.0 mpg during the 20 minute events...basically 1/4 tank each run :rock:
